THE BUZZ: Epic Games’ technical director, Tim Sweeney, has said that there are too many competing platforms currently in the market and someone is going to lose as a result.

Speaking at D.I.C.E last night, Sweeney pointed out the choice that consumers now have in terms of platforms and predicted that there would be “winners and losers,” not everyone can live harmoniously anymore.

“This is too many platforms, we’re seeing now iPad sales have surpassed the sales of PCs. This is a real revelation, this is a product that wasn’t invented until a few years ago and it’s basically supplanting personal computers,” he said. “Over time these platforms will be whittled down to a competing set of platforms to maybe three winners worldwide across everything – computers, game platforms, smartphones… We should expect a lot of consolidation here and winners and losers according to who picks the right directions and executes successfully.”

EGM’s TAKE: Would major platforms ever consider joining forces to ensure survival in this crowded marketplace? Can you imagine any of the big platform holders offering the smaller ones a lifeline? Would they even accept it? We’re at a crossroads in the industry, take the wrong path at this point and that company may be doomed to failure.

Do you feel we have too many platforms? Which will survive? Leave your thoughts below.

About Matthew Bennett

Matt is one of the longest-serving members of the EGMNOW team. An ability to go many hours without sleep and a quick wit make him ideal for his role as associate editor at EGMNOW.com. He often thinks back to the days when the very idea of this career seemed like nothing but an impossible dream. Find him on Twitter @mattyjb89

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Epic – ‘There are too Many Platforms’

Epic Games' technical director, Tim Sweeney, has said that there are too many competing platforms currently in the market and someone is going to lose as a result.

THE BUZZ: Epic Games’ technical director, Tim Sweeney, has said that there are too many competing platforms currently in the market and someone is going to lose as a result.

Speaking at D.I.C.E last night, Sweeney pointed out the choice that consumers now have in terms of platforms and predicted that there would be “winners and losers,” not everyone can live harmoniously anymore.

“This is too many platforms, we’re seeing now iPad sales have surpassed the sales of PCs. This is a real revelation, this is a product that wasn’t invented until a few years ago and it’s basically supplanting personal computers,” he said. “Over time these platforms will be whittled down to a competing set of platforms to maybe three winners worldwide across everything – computers, game platforms, smartphones… We should expect a lot of consolidation here and winners and losers according to who picks the right directions and executes successfully.”

EGM’s TAKE: Would major platforms ever consider joining forces to ensure survival in this crowded marketplace? Can you imagine any of the big platform holders offering the smaller ones a lifeline? Would they even accept it? We’re at a crossroads in the industry, take the wrong path at this point and that company may be doomed to failure.

Do you feel we have too many platforms? Which will survive? Leave your thoughts below.

About Matthew Bennett

Matt is one of the longest-serving members of the EGMNOW team. An ability to go many hours without sleep and a quick wit make him ideal for his role as associate editor at EGMNOW.com. He often thinks back to the days when the very idea of this career seemed like nothing but an impossible dream. Find him on Twitter @mattyjb89